Obituaries

Jul 3, 2019

Marshall Howrigon age 79, of Plainwell, passed on Wed. July 3 after battling cancer. Marsh lived most of his life in the Plainwell area. He was a high school athlete, he was always proud that he played for Coach Streidl. Marsh played football for a year at Olivet College, but returned home to work construction with his dad. Marsh could...

Jul 1, 2019

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Bernice King was a blessing to all who were near. She was a longtime resident of the community she loved, and she was the sort of woman who would do whatever she could for those around her. There was no greater...

Jul 1, 2019

Julia S. Sivley, of Kalamazoo passed away on Monday, July 1, 2019 at the age of 23. Julia was born on August 15, 1995 in South Korea. She is the daughter of Paul and Laurie (Williams) Bushnell. She graduated from Portage Community High School in 2014. After high school she attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College to study criminal justice. It...

Jun 30, 2019

Barbara Jean Misner (DeDie) died peacefully, with family by her side, on June 30, 2019. She was born on Groundhog Day 1943. Barbara is survived by her children, Christine and DuWayne Jr.: grandchildren, Benjamin, Bryanna, Adrianna, Krista, Madelyne, and Samantha: great-grandchildren, Corbyn, Ashlynn, Coltyn, Jaxyn, Beau: sister, Sue and brother, Bill. She was preceded in death by her husband DuWayne...

Jun 30, 2019

Gary was born on February 3, 1945 in Allegan, MI. Everyone who knew Gary knew he was the most fun, caring, and spontaneous person to be around. He was the kind of guy who always put others before himself. Gary was passionate and hardworking, which drew him to start his own company called Curtis Fiber Glass Repair Service. He managed...

Jun 26, 2019

Penny (Toornman) Major passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at age 50. Penny was born in Kalamazoo, MI in 1969, the youngest daughter of Eugene and Marie Toornman. Penny graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1987 and later, in 1992, graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor's degree in Dietetics. During her childhood Penny...

Jun 26, 2019

James L. Gray, age 71, of Martin, went to be with the Lord on June 26, 2019. Jim was born on July 23, 1947 to Jewel & Effie (Laubenthal) Gray. Visit with his family and friends on Tuesday, July 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the McCowen & Secord Funeral Home Marshall & Gren Chapel; 120 S. Woodhams...

Jun 26, 2019

Georgeanna "Georgie" Ayala was called upon by the Lord on June 26, 2019. Georgie was born June 14, 1965 in Plainwell, MI to Armondo and RoseMary Ayala. She was a loving and caring mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Being a mother and even more so, a grandmother, was the greatest joy she got out of life. They never had...

Jun 26, 2019

Iva Snyder was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was selfless and caring, yet the word that paints the most vivid picture of her is resilient. Modeling small acts of kindness and large acts of sacrifice, her story touched the lives of many. A warm and caring person, there is no doubt that she leaves behind a rich...

Jun 25, 2019

Joan Marie (Sturtz) Hoefle September 24, 1942- June 25, 2019 Joan Marie (Sturtz) Hoefle, age 76, of Marcellus, MI, passed away at Bronson Methodist Hospital following an illness on Tuesday afternoon, June 25, 2019. On September 24, 1942, Joan was born in Naticoke, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Joseph Sturtz, Sr. and Alberta (Cromer) Sturtz. On January 16, 1963, she married...

Jun 25, 2019

Jun 24, 2019

To know Tom Kelley was to love Tom Kelley. He was a man of many talents and abilities but most importantly, Tom was a dedicated and hard working man. Throughout his life, Tom pursued the many things he loved and enjoyed, especially being in the great outdoors and taking in the lake. Always an outgoing fellow, he never knew a...

Jun 24, 2019

Jun 21, 2019

Carolyn Martz of Kalamazoo, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, June 21, 2019 at the age of 84. Per Carolyn’s wishes cremation has taken place. Please visit Carolyn’s webpage at www.avinkcremation.com where you can sign her guestbook, read her obituary, and leave a memory. The family is being assisted by the Avink Funeral Home & Cremation Society, 5975...

Jun 19, 2019

Yvonne M. Booth (Drake) of Vicksburg, MI died Wednesday, June 19th at Rose Arbor Hospice with family by her side. Yvonne was born September 1, 1947 in New Castle, IN to Eleanor Smith and George Drake. She was the oldest of three children and spent many happy times during her childhood with her siblings and cousins at her Grandpa and...

Jun 18, 2019

When reflecting on the life of Jackie Terpstra, it is easy to see the deep love she had for her family. Although she treasured her roles as a wife and mother, she just might have argued that nothing was better than becoming a grandmother and great-grandmother later in life. Jackie was the kind of person who was happy all the...

Jun 17, 2019

Sally Ann Crosse (Newman) died peacefully, with family by her side, on June 17, 2019. Sally is lovingly remembered by her children, William G. Rantz (Colleen Prichard), Cheryl A. Meech, and Marjorie R. Endres (Robert). Sally was a deeply proud grandmother of seven grandchildren, Garrett and Gavin Rantz; Jason and Josh Meech; Michael, Kristen and Ashley Endres, and three great-grandchildren,...

Jun 17, 2019

Mary Lou Stewart, 93, passed away from natural causes, surrounded by her family. Mary Lou Stewart was born in Youngstown, OH and grew up in Northern Ohio. She came to Kalamazoo, MI in 1957 and taught "youngsters" in town. By this time she had earned her B.A. with honors in Teaching and Physical Education from Oberlin College and her M.A....

Jun 13, 2019

Janet Rae Pheils 84 of Schoolcraft, MI died Thursday, June 13th surrounded by family. Janet was born in Sturgis, MI to Daryle and Ruby (Harris) Pheils. The oldest of 3 children, she grew up on the family farm in Howe, IN. She played the organ and taught Sunday school in the local church and graduated from Scott High School. Shortly...

Jun 13, 2019

Jay Leo Kulp, 91, died on June 13, 2019 in Portage, Michigan. He was born in Detroit, 1928. After graduating Saint Theresa High School, 1946, Jay joined the United States Army. He was soon stationed for almost two years in Okinawa, Japan. In 1948, he was transferred back to the United States and stationed in the Battle Creek area. Jay...